IMTS 2016, the 31st edition of the show, was the third largest in number of registrations (115,612) and in exhibit space (1,370,256ft2). This show also hosted the highest number of exhibiting companies ever (2,407).
Peter Eelman, vice president – exhibitions & business development at AMT, which owns and manages IMTS commented: “IMTS has grown not only in size, but in the overall scope of manufacturing. There are more compelling reasons for people to attend. Whether they come to research new technology, evaluate vendors before purchasing, find solutions or connect with the leaders in the manufacturing industry, there is simply no substitute for attending IMTS.”
The dominant technologies at IMTS 2016 were additive manufacturing, robotics, automation and an increasing digital thread, according to Tim Shinbara, AMT vice president – manufacturing technology.
On the automation side, embedded sensors and processors moved closer to the moment of inertia, enabling split second decision making that prevents collisions or enables a smooth, fluid and rapid response. Mr Shinbara said: “Moving robotic intelligence nearer to the end of the arm enables more collaborative manufacturing where humans and robots can work closely and more safely together.”
A highlight of new technology at IMTS was the ETC display. The ETC featured the AMIE (Additive Manufacturing Integrated Energy) project from the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). AMIE featured a 3D printed house and 3D printed utility vehicle. Both were made from carbon fibre-reinforced ABS plastic composite material at the DOE’s manufacturing demonstration facility at ORNL using large-scale additive manufacturing.
In addition to the 3D printed house and vehicles, the ETC featured the ‘additive bionic human’ with medical implants printed using laser sintering technology from EOS North America, a partner in the exhibit. EOS displayed a cranial implant, tracheal implant, dental implant, leg prosthesis and joints for the ETC.
IMTS www.imts.com
